Alex McLeish tells Scots: show real courage

A win in Haifa would extend Scotland’s lead in the Nations League groupSNS

Alex McLeish wants his Scotland players to show they have “got a pair” and have the nerve to beat Israel and take a massive step towards a Euro 2020 play-off tonight.

A win in Haifa would extend their lead in the Nations League group and mean they would need only draws in the remaining two games next month — in Albania and then at home to Israel — to guarantee finishing top of the section and claim a place in the play-offs which start in March 2020. That would be a potential safety net before playing their European Championship qualifying campaign in its entirety next year.

“We know the rewards of this particular game, it’s a big chance,” said McLeish as Scotland arrived in Haifa,…

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